tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1953410733493889728.post5680931506881914192..comments2024-02-29T12:38:32.191-08:00Comments on MUSINGS ON IRAQ: Ethnosectarian Politics In Iraq, Its Future And Repercussions, An Interview With Univ of Miami Prof. Adeed DawishaJoel Winghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09611810110771744360noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1953410733493889728.post-60543344950389053172013-08-12T15:58:31.027-07:002013-08-12T15:58:31.027-07:00Steve,
You're always good with the historical...Steve,<br /><br />You're always good with the historical analogies. <br /><br />I think the U.S. did try to build up Iraq's institutions, but got caught up in national and local personalities that wanted to divert everything to their own personal gain. Joel Winghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09611810110771744360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1953410733493889728.post-61015353828980289402013-08-12T11:19:18.909-07:002013-08-12T11:19:18.909-07:00Joel:
Excellent interview by someone who deeply u...Joel:<br /><br />Excellent interview by someone who deeply understands the topic. <br /><br />There is far more to the issues in Iraq's internal, national and sub-national structure and cohesiveness than the US 2003 invasion, although our actions appear to have coalesced and/or reinforced structural problems that now stand in the way of progress for Iraq's people. <br /><br />I was particularly struck by the reference to the cults of personality in lieu of institutions. This carries on the prior Ottoman traditions for far-outposts, which Iraq has been unable to transcend. As long as the leadership focused on personality versus services & performance, the goose remains cooked.<br /><br />On that front, however, I believe the US (woulda, shoulda, coulda) focused more on delivery of services through functioning institutions---then and even now---in Iraq and other common circumstances, and that doing so is the key to a viable future. Yet, I really am amazed that Iraqis, as yet, have not seriously begun to focus on that which they do not have (services,institutions), and begun to seriously hold leaders to account. <br /><br />Toynbee. Leaders stuck in the past issues and disputes, who do not take on the current problems, are always at risk---punctuated evolution suggests things do not go in straight lines.Steve Donnelly, AICPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11707306512563808960noreply@blogger.com